So it's been awhile since my last post. We were still in the middle of the longest winter of my life (or so it seemed) when my long hiatus began, and now that I've returned, summer is coming to a close (as much as that hurts my heart to say.) Between having to replace my computer, helping to plan a family wedding, working two jobs, and the World Cup, the habit of blogging (which had barely begun to be a habit) was disrupted. But now I'm back.

In our family lives, especially when travel took much longer, people, not just habits, sometimes go on hiatus. Things like war, opportunities, work, and leisure could take a member (or members) of a family away from the home for long periods of time. My 2nd great-grandfather, Jeremiah Monroe Deem, went on many such hiatuses. The one I want to explore today became permanent. (Nothing like returning on a happy note . . . )